Detachable joystick for video game controller

ABSTRACT

A removable joystick for use with a video game controller includes a base shaft that is coupled to a joystick unit in the housing of the video game controller so that the proximal end of the base shaft extends to a location at or below an outer surface of the housing. A top shaft assembly is removably coupleable to the base shaft via a quick disconnect assembly. The top shaft assembly includes a top shaft with a proximal end that removably couples to a joystick ball, and a collar that is spring loaded and movably coupled to the top shaft and has a flange that extends outward from the outer surface of the collar. When the top shaft assembly is disconnected from the base shaft, the flange of the collar engages and retains a dust cover disposed over the collar to inhibit misplacement or loss of the dust cover.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. Thisapplication is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/US2018/038540filed Jun. 20, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/649,014 filed Jul. 13, 2017 and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/692,744 filed Aug. 31, 2017, the entire contents of both of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present invention is directed to video game controllers, and moreparticularly to a video game controller with a detachable joystick.

Description of the Related Art

Video gaming is very popular and has become increasingly complex,requiring video game controllers with multiple inputs (e.g., buttons,joysticks) that can be actuated (e.g., pressed, pivoted, etc.) toactivate functions within the video game. As the inputs are actuated,electrical signals are generated, processed and/or transmitted to agaming console to which the controller connects. The console operatesthe video game at least in part based on the signals it receives fromthe controller. There are different gaming consoles in the market, andeach console may use a different type of controller (e.g., havingdifferent types or combination of inputs) or accommodate the use ofmultiple types of controllers.

Some game controllers are designed for particular use in fighting gamesor arcade style games. Such controllers can have an arcade like joystick and multiple buttons, and a base or housing that allows the userto optionally rest his or her wrists on the housing of the controllerwhile actuating the controls (e.g., the joy stick and/or buttons).Though such controllers are portable, they are often much larger thantypical hand held controllers and the joystick that sticks out of thebody of the controller makes it difficult to store the controller whentraveling as it does not easily fit in a typical backpack, messenger bagor suitcase. Moreover, when placed in a travel bag (e.g., back pack,messenger bag, suitcase), the joystick sticking out of the controllerhousing can result in pressure exerted on the joystick head, which canresult in damage to the joystick and/or the controller. To address theseproblems, removable joysticks have been developed for use with suchcontrollers, to allow the controller to better fit in a travel bag.However, such removable joysticks are still deficient. For example, thedust cover is not retained when the joystick is removed, which resultsin the dust cover being misplaced or lost, which can negatively affectthe operation of the controller (e.g., due to ingress of dust, liquid orother matter into the controller via the opening the dust cover normallycovers, which can cause the joystick actuator to malfunction or fail.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved video game controller witha removable joystick that solves the problems discussed above.

In accordance with one aspect, a removable joystick for use with a videogame controller is provided. The removable joystick includes a baseshaft coupleable to a joystick unit in the video game controller. Theremovable joystick also comprises a top shaft assembly removablycoupleable to the base shaft. The top shaft assembly includes a topshaft with a proximal end that optionally removably couples to ajoystick ball. The top shaft assembly also includes a collar that isspring loaded and movably coupled to the top shaft and has a flange thatextends outward from the outer surface of the collar. The top shaftassembly removably couples to the base shaft via a quick disconnectconnection (e.g., ball-lock connection). When the top shaft assembly isdisconnected from the base shaft, the flange of the collar engages andretains a dust cover disposed over the collar to inhibit misplacement orloss of the dust cover. This assembly facilitates travel with the videogame controller by allowing decoupling of the joystick while preventingmisplacement or loss of the dust cover.

In accordance with another aspect, a removable joystick assembly for usewith a video game controller is provided. The removable joystickassembly comprises a base shaft with a circumferential recess at aproximal end of the base shaft and a top shaft assembly removablycoupleable to the base shaft. The top shaft assembly comprises a topshaft having a central bore and comprising a threaded proximal endconfigured to removably couple to a joystick ball, a circumferentialslot at a location between the proximal end and a distal end of the topshaft configured to removably receive a clip, and a plurality ofopenings defined in a distal wall portion of the top shaft that areconfigured to movably retain metal balls therein. The top shaft assemblyalso comprises a collar movably coupled over the top shaft by a springdisposed between the clip on the top shaft and an inner shoulder in thecollar. The collar comprises a proximal inner surface with a firstdiameter that defines an annular gap between the top shaft and thecollar that receives the spring, the first diameter being greater than adiameter of an outer surface of the top shaft. The collar also comprisesan intermediate inner surface with a second diameter different than thefirst diameter and configured to contact an outer surface of the topshaft at the location of the plurality of openings to bias the balls inthe openings radially inward relative to the distal wall portion of thetop shaft. The collar also comprises a distal inner surface with a thirddiameter greater than the second diameter and configured to be spacedfrom an outer surface of the top shaft at the location of the pluralityof openings to allow the balls in the openings to more radially outwardrelative to the distal wall portion of the top shaft. The collar alsocomprises a flange extending radially outward from a distal portion ofthe collar. The spring biases the collar toward a distal position wherethe intermediate inner surface biases the balls in the openings radiallyinward and into the circumferential recess of the base shaft to couplethe top shaft assembly and the base shaft. When the collar is pulledproximally, the distal inner surface is spaced from the plurality ofopenings so that the balls move radially out of the circumferentialrecess thereby decoupling the top shaft assembly from the base shaft.The flange on the collar is configured to engage a dust cover disposedover collar to retain the dust cover when the top shaft assembly isdecoupled from the base shaft.

In accordance with another aspect, a kit for a removable joystickassembly for use with a video game controller is provided. The kitcomprises a base shaft with a circumferential recess at a proximal endof the base shaft, and a top shaft assembly removably coupleable to thebase shaft. The top shaft assembly comprises a top shaft having athreaded proximal end, a circumferential slot at a location between thethreaded proximal end and a distal end of the top shaft having a clipdisposed therein, a plurality of openings defined in a distal wallportion of the top shaft, and a plurality of metal balls movablyretained in the plurality of openings. The top shaft assembly alsocomprises a collar movably coupled over the top shaft, a spring disposedbetween the clip on the top shaft and an inner shoulder in the collar toallow spring loaded movement of the collar relative to the top shaftbetween a distal position and a proximal position, the collar having aflange extending radially outward from a distal portion of the collar.The spring is configured to bias the collar toward a distal position sothat the collar biases the balls in the openings radially inward andinto the circumferential recess of the base shaft to intercouple the topshaft and the base shaft. When the collar is pulled proximally, an innersurface of the collar is spaced from the plurality of openings so thatthe balls move radially out of the circumferential recess to decouplethe top shaft assembly from the base shaft. The flange is configured toengage a dust cover disposed over collar to retain the dust cover whenthe top shaft assembly is decoupled from the base shaft.

In accordance with another aspect, a video game controller and aremovable joystick assembly are provided in combination. A base shafthas a circumferential recess at a proximal end of the base shaft and adistal end coupled to a joystick unit in the housing of the video gamecontroller. A top shaft assembly is removably coupleable to the baseshaft. The top shaft assembly comprises a top shaft having a threadedproximal end removably coupleable to a joystick ball, a circumferentialslot at a location between the threaded proximal end and a distal end ofthe top shaft having a clip disposed therein, a plurality of openingsdefined in a distal wall portion of the top shaft, and a plurality ofmetal balls movably retained in the plurality of openings. The top shaftassembly also comprises a collar movably coupled over the top shaft, aspring disposed between the clip on the top shaft and an inner shoulderin the collar to allow spring loaded movement of the collar relative tothe top shaft between a distal position and a proximal position, thecollar having a flange extending radially outward from a distal portionof the collar. The spring is configured to bias the collar toward adistal position so that the collar biases the balls in the openingsradially inward and into the circumferential recess of the base shaft tointercouple the top shaft and the base shaft. When the collar is pulledproximally, an inner surface of the collar is spaced from the pluralityof openings so that the balls move radially out of the circumferentialrecess to decouple the top shaft assembly from the base shaft. Theflange is configured to engage a dust cover disposed over collar toretain the dust cover when the top shaft assembly is decoupled from thebase shaft, a proximal end of the base shaft disposed at or below a topsurface of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a video game controller including aremovable joystick.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the video game controller of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the video game controller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the removable joystick assembly attachedto the joystick actuator.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the removable joystick assembly attached to thejoystick actuator.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the joystick assembly.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the joystick assembly.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the joystick assembly.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another joystick assembly.

FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the joystick assembly of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional side vice of the joystick assembly of FIG.9A.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another joystick assembly.

FIG. 10B is an exploded view of the joystick assembly of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional side vice of the joystick assembly of FIG.10A.

FIG. 11A is a view of a bottom cover of the video game controller ofFIG. 1 in an open position relative to the body of the video gamecontroller, showing a removable stick stored on the cover.

FIG. 11B shows the bottom cover of FIG. 11A with the removable stickremoved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 show a video game controller 100 (the “controller 100”) thatcan be removably coupled to a video game unit (e.g., video gameconsole), via a connector 35 (e.g., which can optionally couple to acable that couples to a video game console). The video game controller100 can be used with fight video games or arcade style video games. Thecontroller 100 has a housing 10 with a top surface 12 that has a portion12 a on which the user can optionally rests their wrists while operatingthe controller 100. The controller 100 can also have a rear surface 20and optionally have one or more handles 22 defined (e.g., by openings)in the rear surface 20 with which the user can grab the housing 10. Therear surface 20 can also optionally have a removable bottom cover 24 toaccess the electronics in the housing 10. Optionally, the bottom cover24 is pivotally coupled to the housing 10 of the controller 100 with oneor more hinges 25 (see FIG. 11A) that allow the bottom cover 24 to bemoved between an open position and a closed position relative to thehousing 10. A latch 26 (see FIG. 11A) can be actuated to lock and unlockthe cover 24 relative to the housing 10.

The controller 100 can optionally have one or more buttons 30 on the topsurface 12 for actuating one or more functions of the video game duringoperation. The controller 100 can also have a joystick unit 40 thatincludes a joystick assembly 50. The user can pivot the joystickassembly 50 to actuate a function of the video game during operation. Adust cover 46 is disposed about the joystick assembly 50 and adjacentthe top surface 12 of the housing 10. The dust cover 12 covers anopening 14 in the housing 10 within which the joystick assembly 50pivots to inhibit ingress of dust and foreign material into the housing10 via the opening 14.

FIGS. 3-5 show the joystick unit 40 in greater detail. The joystick unit40 includes an actuator 42 that is disposed in the housing 10. Theactuator 42 has a mounting plate 42 a that can be coupled to the housingso that the mounting plate 42 a faces an underside of the top surface 12(e.g., the mounting plate 42 a is fastened to an underside of the topsurface 12). The joystick unit 40 also includes a joystick assembly 50that couples to the actuator 42. The joystick assembly 50 is alsoillustrated in FIGS. 6-8.

The joystick assembly 50 includes a base shaft 52 that can be coupled tothe actuator 42 with a clip 44 (e.g., e-clip) that extends in a slot 52Aat a distal end of the base shaft 52. The base shaft 52 can have a bore52B that extends along its length, and can also have a circumferentialrecess 53 near a proximal end of the base shaft 52. The base shaft 52can have a conical surface 52C adjacent the circumferential recess 53that extends to a shoulder 52D.

The joystick assembly 50 also includes a collar 54 with a flange 55,where the collar 54 is movably mounted onto a top shaft 56 to define aquick release or quick disconnect fitting (e.g., a ball-lock quickdisconnect). The flange 55 can optionally extend radially outward fromthe collar 54 by a distance of between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm, suchas about 1 mm or about 1.2 mm. The collar 54 can have a shoulder 54Athat extends radially inward from an inner surface of the collar 54, aproximal cylindrical section 54B with a first inner diameter D1, anintermediate cylindrical section 54C with a second inner diameter D2,and a distal cylindrical section 54C with a third inner diameter D3.Diameter D1 and Diameter D3 are greater than diameter D2, and diameterD3 is optionally greater than diameter D1.

A spring 57 can be disposed over at least a portion of the top shaft 56and between the top shaft 56 and the collar 54 and allows the collar 54to be spring loaded relatively to the top shaft 56. As best shown inFIG. 7, the spring 57 is disposed between a clip (e.g., e-clip) 59disposed in a recess 56C of the top shaft 56 and the shoulder 54A of thecollar 54. The collar 54 can move from a distal biased position to aproximal position to allow the top shaft 56 to decouple from the baseshaft 52. The top shaft 56 can have a central bore 56D with one or moreopenings 56A that movably retain metal balls 58 therein, allowing themto move radially by a certain amount that allows the top shaft 56 tocouple to and decouple from the base shaft 52, as further describedbelow. The top shaft 56 can also have a threaded portion 56B thatremovably threads on to a ball 60 (e.g., threads into a threaded portion60A of the ball 60).

In use, when the collar 54 is in the biased position and the top shaft56 is disposed over at least a portion of the base shaft 52, the balls58 slide into the circumferential recess 53 of the base shaft 52 tointercouple the top shaft 56 to the base shaft 52. When the collar 54 isslid toward the proximal position (acting against the spring force), theintermediate cylindrical section 54C slides out of contact with thesurface of the top shaft 56, allowing the balls 58 to move at leastpartially into the openings 56A in the top shaft 56 and out of thecircumferential recess 53 of the base shaft 52 as the top shaft 56 ispulled away from the base shaft 52. Therefore, the top shaft 56, withthe ball 60 attached thereto, and the collar 54 can be decoupled fromthe base shaft 52 to facilitate travel of the controller 100.Optionally, when the collar 54 and top shaft 56 are decoupled from thebase shaft 52, the base shaft 52 does not protrude from the opening 14of the housing 10 (e.g., the base shaft 52 extends to a proximal endthat is at or below a plane of the top surface 12), thereby making iteasy for the controller 100 to fit into a back pack, travel bag orsuitcase and inhibit damage to the controller 100 or joystick duringtravel.

Advantageously, as the collar 54 and top shaft 56 are decoupled from thebase shaft 52, the flange 55 of the collar 54 engages a surface of thedust cover 46 so that the dust cover 46 is retained on the collar 54.This advantageously inhibits (e.g., prevents) the misplacement or lossof the dust cover 46 while the top shaft 56 and collar 54 are decoupledfrom the base shaft 52, such as during storage or travel of thecontroller 100.

FIG. 9A-9C illustrate another joystick assembly 50′ for use with thecontroller 100 and that can be decoupled from the controller 100 (e.g.,during storage or travel of the controller 100). The joystick assembly50′ is constructed similar to the joystick assembly 50 shown in FIGS.6-8, except as noted below. Thus the reference numerals used todesignate the various components of the joystick assembly 50′ areidentical to those used for identifying the corresponding components ofthe joystick assembly 50 in FIGS. 6-8, except that a “′” has been addedto the reference numerals.

The joystick assembly 50′ includes a top shaft 56′ and a collar orsleeve 54′ that is movably mounted (e.g., slidably mounted) over the topshaft 56′. The collar or sleeve 54′ is optionally spring loaded relativeto the top shaft 56′ in the same manner described above for the joystickassembly 50. The collar or sleeve 54′ is optionally cylindrical with aconstant outer diameter D along the length of the sleeve 54′.

The top shaft 56′ has a proximal end 56B′ that extends within andcouples to the head 60′ such that an annular gap G is defined between aninner circumferential surface 60B′ of the head 60′ and an outer surface56D′ of a proximal portion of the top shaft 56′. The head 60′ can beelongated (e.g., bat shaped) with a wider proximal portion that taperstoward a relatively narrower distal portion. The top shaft 56′ also hasa distal end 56E′ that removably receives a proximal portion of the baseshaft 52. The sleeve 54′ can have a flange 55′ at its distal end. Theflange 55′ can have the same dimensions as the flange 55, and can retainthe dust cover 46 when the joystick assembly 50′ is decoupled from thecontroller 100′. The sleeve 54′ defines a quick release or quickdisconnect fitting (e.g., a ball-lock quick disconnect) that removablycouples to the distal end of the top shaft 56′ to the base shaft 52. Thequick release or quick disconnect structure can be identical to thatdescribed above for the joystick assembly 50.

The proximal end of the sleeve 54′ can extend further into the annulargap G when the sleeve 54′ is moved in a proximal direction relative tothe top shaft 56′ (e.g., to decouple the top shaft 56′ from the baseshaft 52). As best shown in FIGS. 9B-9C, a spring 57′ is disposed overat least a portion of the top shaft 56′ and between a collar 51′disposed over the top shaft 56′ and an inner shoulder 54A′ of the collaror sleeve 54′. The spring 57′ is disposed between the inner shoulder54A′ and a clip (e.g., e-clip) 59′ disposed in a recess 56C′ of the topshaft 56′ at a location adjacent the collar 51′. The clip 59′ isoptionally disposed on a portion of the top shaft 56′ that is disposedin the head 60′ when the top shaft 56′ is coupled to the head 60′. Thesleeve 54′ can move from a distal biased position (e.g., where theproximal end of the sleeve 54′ is in the annular gap G in the head 60′)to a proximal position (e.g., where the proximal end of the sleeve 54′is further inside the annular gap G in the head 60′) to allow the topshaft 56′ to decouple from the base shaft 52. The top shaft 56′ can havea threaded portion 56B′ that removably threads on to a head 60′ (e.g.,threads into a threaded portion 63′ in the ball 60′).

In use, when the sleeve 54′ is in the biased position and the top shaft56′ is disposed over and coupled to the base shaft 52, the user canoperate the joystick assembly 50′ by moving the head 50′ and the motioncan be transferred to the base shaft 52 and the electronics in thecontroller 100′. In some instances, gamers hold the head 60′ with thepalm of their hand and wrap their fingers on the underside of the head60′, placing them on either side of the sleeve 54′. Advantageously, thesleeve 54′ can have a constant diameter D′ that provides a continuous(e.g., smooth) surface for contact with the user's fingers. Thisinhibits discomfort to the user during operation, which may occur ifthere was a change in diameter that the user's fingers engaged, such asthe transition between the proximal end of the collar 54 and the topshaft 56 in the joystick assembly 50.

When the sleeve 54′ is slid toward the proximal position (acting againstthe spring force), the top shaft 56′ decouples from the base shaft 52(in a similar manner described above for the joystick assembly 50),allowing the top shaft 56′ to be pulled away from the base shaft 52 tofacilitate storage and/or travel of the controller 100.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate another joystick assembly 50″ for use with thecontroller 100 and that can be decoupled from the controller 100 (e.g.,during storage or travel of the controller 100). The joystick assembly50″ is constructed similar to the joystick assembly 50′ shown in FIGS.9A-9C, except as noted below. Thus the reference numerals used todesignate the various components of the joystick assembly 50″ areidentical to those used for identifying the corresponding components ofthe joystick assembly 50′ in FIGS. 9A-9C, except that a “′” has beenadded to the reference numerals.

The joystick assembly 50″ includes a head 60″ that is shaped differentlythan the head 60′ of the joystick assembly 50′. The head 60″ can be aspherical ball. As with the head 60′, the head 60″ has a cavity thatremovably receives and couples to a proximal end of the top shaft 56″,such that an annular gap G″ is defined between an inner circumferentialsurface 60B″ of the head 60″ and an outer surface 56D″ of a proximalportion of the top shaft 56″.

As with the joystick assembly 50′, the joystick assembly 50″ has asleeve 54′ with a constant diameter D″ that provides a continuous (e.g.,smooth) surface for contact with the user's fingers. This inhibitsdiscomfort to the user during operation, which may occur if there was achange in diameter that the user's fingers engaged, such as thetransition between the proximal end of the collar 54 and the top shaft56 in the joystick assembly 50.

FIGS. 11A-11B show the bottom cover 24 of the controller 100 in an openposition, relative to the rest of the controller 100. An inner surface24A of the bottom cover 24 can have a mount assembly 80 to which thejoystick assembly 50, 50′, 50″ can be coupled to store it (e.g., whentraveling with the controller 100).

The mount assembly 80 optionally includes a support post 82 with anopening 84 at a proximal end thereof and a curved shoulder 86 adjacentthe opening 84. The opening 84 is sized to receive and retain the flange55, 55′ of the sleeve 54, 54′, 54″ therein, and the curved shoulder 86is sized to contact and support the sleeve 54, 54′, 54″ thereon. Atleast a portion of the curved shoulder 86 can be defined by a radiussubstantially equal to the outer radius that defines the outer surfaceof the sleeve 54, 54′, 54″.

The mount assembly 80 optionally includes a wall 88 spaced apart from asurface of the support post 82 to define a gap 89 therebetween. The gap89 has a width greater than a thickness of the dust cover 46. The gap 89receives the dust cover 46 therein when the sleeve 54, 54′, 54″ isdisposed on the curved shoulder 86 to advantageously retain the dustcover 46.

The mount assembly 80 optionally includes a pair of resilient clips 90spaced apart from each other and sized to securely receive the sleeve54, 54′, 54″ therebetween. Each of the clips 90 has a protrusion 92 at aproximal end that protrudes from an inner facing surface 94. A distanceW1 between the clips 90 at the location of the protrusions 92 is smallerthan a distance W2 between the inner facing surfaces 94.

The mount assembly 80 optionally includes a first support base 96 andoptionally includes a second support base 98. The first support base 96can have a curved support surface 96A. Optionally, the curved supportsurface 96A is a spherical surface. Optionally, the spherical surfacecan be defined by a radius substantially equal to a radius that definesan outer surface of the spherical head 60″. The second support base 98can have a curved support surface 98A. Optionally, the curved supportsurface 98A has substantially the same curvature as at least a portionof the head 60′ that has a bat shape.

In use, the mount assembly 80 can securely hold a joystick assembly 50,50′, 50″, such as a replacement joystick assembly or a joystick assemblyhaving a different shape. For example, the joystick assembly 50′ withthe bat shape can be stored on the mount assembly 80 when the user hascoupled the joystick assembly 50″ with the spherical head to thecontroller 100 for use, and vice versa. Advantageously, the mountassembly 80 securely holds the joystick assembly 50, 50′, 50″ thereon,thereby inhibiting its loss or misplacement. Additionally, the mountassembly 80 advantageously fixedly holes the joystick assembly 50, 50′,50″ and prevents it from rattling in the housing (e.g., while the useris operating the controller 100). Another advantage is that the mountassembly 80 securely holds the joystick assembly 50, 50′, 50″irrespective of whether it has a spherical head 60, 60″ or an elongatebat-shaped head 60′ via the first and second support bases 96, 98.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in thesystems and methods described herein may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, thescope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to theappended claims.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunctionwith a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood tobe applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described inthis section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatibletherewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or allof the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined inany combination, except combinations where at least some of suchfeatures and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is notrestricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protectionextends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure inthe context of separate implementations can also be implemented incombination in a single implementation. Conversely, various featuresthat are described in the context of a single implementation can also beimplemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimedcombination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and thecombination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of asubcombination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or describedin the specification in a particular order, such operations need not beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Otheroperations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in theexample methods and processes. For example, one or more additionaloperations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or betweenany of the described operations. Further, the operations may berearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken inthe processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shownin the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the stepsdescribed above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, thefeatures and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above maybe combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all ofwhich fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, theseparation of various system components in the implementations describedabove should not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the describedcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singleproduct or packaged into multiple products.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages maybe achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, forexample, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure maybe embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or agroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,”“about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent avalue, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, orcharacteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves adesired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”,“generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is withinless than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, withinless than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. Asanother example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel”and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristicthat departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees,10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by thespecific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section orelsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims aspresented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or aspresented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpretedbroadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited tothe examples described in the present specification or during theprosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed asnon-exclusive.

Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features,aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which variouschanges and modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Moreover, the devices describedherein need not feature all of the objects, advantages, features andaspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skill in the artwill recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in amanner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantagesas taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects oradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while anumber of variations of the invention have been shown and described indetail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within thescope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill inthe art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that variouscombinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspectsof embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various featuresand aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with orsubstituted for one another in order to form varying modes of thediscussed devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable joystick assembly for use with avideo game controller, comprising: a joystick head; a shaft operativelycoupled to the joystick head and extending to a distal end, a proximalportion of the shaft radially spaced apart from an inner surface of adistal portion of the joystick head to define an annular gaptherebetween, the shaft having a central bore and a plurality ofopenings in a distal wall portion that at least partially defines thecentral bore; a sleeve movably coupled over the shaft and spring loadedrelative to the shaft, the sleeve extending between a proximal end and adistal end and having a continuous outer surface between the proximaland distal ends of the sleeve; and a plurality of balls disposed atleast partially between the sleeve and the shaft and configured toextend at least partially through the plurality of openings in theshaft, wherein the sleeve is configured to move between a first positionand a second position relative to the shaft, wherein in the firstposition the distal end of the sleeve is generally aligned with thedistal end of the shaft and the plurality of balls at least partiallyprotrude through the openings and into the central bore allowing theshaft to couple to a base shaft, and wherein in the second position theproximal end of the sleeve is disposed in the annular gap and the distalend of the sleeve is located proximal of the distal end of the shaft tothereby allow the plurality of balls to move out of the openings toallow decoupling of the shaft from the base shaft.
 2. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the shaft is removably coupleable to the joystick head.3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the shaft is threadably coupleableto the joystick head.
 4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the sleeve iscylindrical and has a constant outer diameter along substantially itsentire length.
 5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the joystick head hasan elongated shape.
 6. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising aspring radially interposed between the shaft and the sleeve, wherein thespring biases the sleeve toward the first position.
 7. The assembly ofclaim 2, wherein in the second position the plurality of balls areconfigured to move into an annular gap between the shaft and the sleeveto allow decoupling of the shaft from the base shaft.
 8. A kit for aremovable joystick assembly for use with a video game controller,comprising: a base shaft with a circumferential recess at a proximal endof the base shaft; and a joystick assembly removably coupleable to thebase shaft, the joystick assembly comprising a joystick head; a shaftoperatively coupled to the joystick head and extending to a distal end,a proximal portion of the shaft radially spaced apart from an innersurface of a distal portion of the joystick head to define an annulargap therebetween, the shaft having a central bore and a plurality ofopenings in a distal wall portion that at least partially defines thecentral bore; a sleeve movably coupled over the shaft and spring loadedrelative to the shaft, the sleeve extending between a proximal end and adistal end and having a continuous outer surface between the proximaland distal ends of the sleeve; and a plurality of balls disposed atleast partially between the sleeve and the shaft and configured toextend at least partially through the plurality of openings in theshaft, wherein the sleeve is configured to move between a first positionand a second position relative to the shaft, wherein in the firstposition the distal end of the sleeve is generally aligned with thedistal end of the shaft and the plurality of balls at least partiallyprotrude through the openings and into the central bore allowing theshaft to couple to a base shaft, and wherein in the second position theproximal end of the sleeve is disposed in the annular gap and the distalend of the sleeve is located proximal of the distal end of the shaft tothereby allow the plurality of balls to move out of the openings toallow decoupling of the shaft from the base shaft.
 9. The kit of claim8, wherein the shaft is removably coupleable to the joystick head. 10.The kit of claim 9, wherein the shaft is threadably coupleable to thejoystick head.
 11. The kit of claim 8, wherein the sleeve is cylindricaland has a constant outer diameter along substantially its entire length.12. The kit of claim 8, wherein the joystick head has an elongatedshape.
 13. The kit of claim 8, further comprising a spring radiallyinterposed between the shaft and the sleeve, wherein the spring biasesthe sleeve toward the first position.
 14. The kit of claim 8, wherein inthe second position the plurality of balls are configured to move intoan annular gap between the shaft and the sleeve to allow decoupling ofthe shaft from the base shaft.
 15. The kit of claim 8, wherein in thefirst position the plurality of balls extend at least partially into thecircumferential recess of the base shaft.
 16. In combination, a videogame controller comprising a housing on which a user can rest theirwrists while operating the controller and a removable joystick assembly,comprising: a base shaft with a circumferential recess at a proximal endof the base shaft and a distal end coupled to a joystick unit in thehousing; and a joystick assembly removably coupleable to the base shaft,comprising a joystick head; a shaft operatively coupled to the joystickhead and extending to a distal end, a proximal portion of the shaftradially spaced apart from an inner surface of a distal portion of thejoystick head to define an annular gap therebetween, the shaft having acentral bore and a plurality of openings in a distal wall portion thatat least partially defines the central bore; a sleeve movably coupledover the shaft and spring loaded relative to the shaft, the sleeveextending between a proximal end and a distal end and having acontinuous outer surface between the proximal and distal ends of thesleeve; and a plurality of balls disposed at least partially between thesleeve and the shaft and configured to extend at least partially throughthe plurality of openings in the shaft, wherein the sleeve is configuredto move between a first position and a second position relative to theshaft, wherein in the first position the distal end of the sleeve isgenerally aligned with the distal end of the shaft and the plurality ofballs at least partially protrude through the openings and into thecentral bore allowing the shaft to couple to a base shaft, and whereinin the second position the proximal end of the sleeve is disposed in theannular gap and the distal end of the sleeve is located proximal of thedistal end of the shaft to thereby allow the plurality of balls to moveout of the openings to allow decoupling of the shaft from the baseshaft.
 17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the shaft is removablycoupleable to the joystick head.
 18. The combination of claim 17,wherein the shaft is threadably coupleable to the joystick head.
 19. Thecombination of claim 16, wherein the sleeve is cylindrical and has aconstant outer diameter along substantially its entire length.
 20. Thecombination of claim 16, further comprising a spring radially interposedbetween the shaft and the sleeve, wherein the spring biases the sleevetoward the first position such that the plurality of balls extend atleast partially into the circumferential recess of the base shaft. 21.The combination of claim 16, wherein in the second position theplurality of balls are configured to move into an annular gap betweenthe shaft and the sleeve to allow decoupling of the shaft from the baseshaft.